Next up? Jones, who played outside linebacker his first three seasons in Green Bay (13 starts in 35 games) and at the University of Colorado.

"The whole thing about the NFL, actually about life, is that it's kind of about adapting," he said. "I think in my life I've been really good at adapting, being adaptable and making good things out of bad situations. You've got to be adaptable in all facets of life, and football just illuminates that."

Jones had gotten some work at inside linebacker during OTAs and training camp but had no real experience at the position until he came on in relief of Smith. He made his first career start inside against St. Louis in Week 7 and started against Jacksonville on Sunday.

In those two games, he registered 20 tackles (15 solo), a sack and a forced fumble. He also is the middle linebacker in the Packers' dime package.

"It's actually gone real smooth," said A.J. Hawk, the other inside linebacker in the base defense. "It's crazy how many guys have had to roll through there, but I feel real comfortable with Brad. He's done a great job since Day 1.

"He's obviously a very smart guy. He's very explosive. He can run. He's a very good player."

In the Packers' 24-15 victory over the Jaguars, Jones led the defense with 12 tackles and sacked quarterback Blaine Gabbert for an 8-yard loss on Jacksonville's opening drive.

Later in the first half, he fought off a block by guard Uche Nwaneri and jarred the ball from the hands of running back Rashad Jennings for the first forced fumble of his career. Safety Morgan Burnett recovered for the defense's first fumble recovery of the season.

"Brad is one of those guys, he's so athletic," said rookie linebacker Dezman Moses. "With his foot speed and quickness, he can read blocks and shoot a gap and make plays. That's what it's about."

A seventh-round draft pick in 2009, Jones started seven games at outside linebacker as a rookie and fought through a shoulder injury to start five more in 2010 before aggravating the injury in Week 7 and going on injured reserve. Last year he played mostly on special teams and saw spot duty on defense.

The move inside meant an opportunity to get back on the field with the defense and Jones was all for that.

"I love it," he said. "I feel like the transition is going well. I think I've always been a pretty confident guy. I expected it to go well and it has. I feel very comfortable."

His calling card is his athleticism and speed.

"Brad's got rare speed for an inside linebacker," said outside linebacker Erik Walden. "He's one of the faster inside linebackers in the league. Brad can run. He can pick 'em up and put 'em down."

At 6 feet 3 inches and 242 pounds, Jones might be a bit on the lean side, but an inside linebacker doesn't have to be built like a fire hydrant in today's NFL.

"The league goes through phases," Hawk said. "Look at Winston Moss (the Packers' assistant head coach). He played inside 'backer and he was 6-4, 260 when he played. How many of those guys play inside anymore?

"The league is kind of changing. There is no prototypical size. As long as you can run and you can hit, it doesn't matter what size you are."

Jones is one of the more interesting characters in the Packers' locker room. He leaves Lambeau Field during the team's lunch period every day to go home and walk his dogs, an Irish wolfhound and a French bulldog.

When it came to names, Fido just wouldn't do. Jones named his dogs Rufus Alexander Jones and Theodore Maxwell Jones.

He has played violin and viola for 17 years. He has a degree in economics from Colorado and is just six credits shy of a second degree in astrophysics.

"I always enjoyed school and learning," he said. "I had some really, really interesting professors. Even a Nobel laureate. I always made it like a competition. Test day was like game day to me."

As one might guess, he's astute in film study, the art of analyzing and breaking down an opponent.

"I mean, I couldn't say anybody really enjoys watching hours and hours of film, but I'm good at that part," Jones said. "I'm good at analyzing and breaking down tendencies of offenses. But I can't say I yearn to sit in the film room for hours on my off days."

The move to inside linebacker has rejuvenated his career and probably has worked out better than the Packers could have imagined. Would Jones consider going back outside?

"Oh, man, I don't want to dig myself a hole," he said. "I love, love playing inside, but if the team needs me to go back to outside, I would do it.

About Gary D'Amato

Gary D'Amato covers golf and the Olympic Games and writes about a variety of other sports. He has won numerous writing awards from the Golf Writers Association of America, the Associated Press Sports Editors and the Milwaukee Press Club.